Moses Looney (aft. 1742 - 1824)

Born after 1742 in Looney's Mill Creek, Orange Co, VA

Ancestors

Died 12 Jul 1824 before age 82 in Knox County, Tennessee

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Biography

Born after 1742 near the junction of Looney Creek and the James River in what was then Orange Co, VA and in 1745 became Augusta Co, VA. His father was killed by Indians in 1756 and his widowed mother then married Stephen Rentfro. His mother and step-father soon moved the family down into what was thought to be the south west boundary of Virginia. This accounts for his appearance in Fincastle and Washington Co, VA records. When the Virginia and North Carolina state lines were ran, the family was determined to be living in what was then North Carolina. Moses Looney and his Uncle David Looney were active in the "Lost State of Franklin" affair until Sullivan County, NC was formed in 1780. When Sullivan County, NC was first established the meeting took place in the home of Moses Looney. This home became known as Moses Looney's Fort. Moses Looney had land claims in Sullivan County as did several others in his family. Moses Looney next moved south to Knox Co, TN along with his Step-Father and mother. Moses filed land claims in Know County just south of Knoxville, TN which included the island in the Tennessee River which is still known as Looney Island. Moses was designated the executor in his step-father, Stephen Rentfro's will. Moses was married, but they never had any children. Moses left a will naming his siblings. Moses, his wife and several relations are buried on Moses Looney's land, west of Looney Island, in what is now known as Lonas Cemetery in Knox Co, TN.

June 1776, Lived in the western part of Fincastle County.

Washington County, Virginia Militia

Moses Looney, Lieutenant

John Looney, Ensign^[1]

Washington County, Virginia Revolutionary War Soldiers 1776-1786:

Moses Looney, Kings Mountain, Lieutenant;

John Looney, Kings Mountain;

Robert Looney, Kings Mountain, Ensign^[2]

Moses Looney was an Overseer or Surveyor of Roads in Botetourt County, Virginia 6 January 1773 from Muddy Creek to county line.^[3]

7 February 1780, At Moses Looney's house, Sullivan Co., N.C. organized and court was held there.

28 November 1778, Recommended for Lt. of Militia, Washington County, Virginia.

1780, Captain in the Militia Company of Mounted Gunmen.

1784, Tax Collector of Sullivan County, Tennessee

1790, Moved to Knox County, Tennessee.

1805, Captain of the Guard to the commissioners.

Sources

1. ↑ History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786; Washington County, 1777-1870, by Lewis Preston Summers, of Adingdon Bar, Alumnus of the University of Virginia and of Tulane University of Louisiana, and member of the Virginia Historical Society, published by J L Hill Printing Company, Richmond Virginia, 1903, pages 853, 854, 855
2. ↑ History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786; Washington County, 1777-1870, by Lewis Preston Summers, of Adingdon Bar, Alumnus of the University of Virginia and of Tulane University of Louisiana, and member of the Virginia Historical Society, published by J L Hill Printing Company, Richmond Virginia, 1903, page 861
3. ↑ History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786; Washington County, 1777-1870, by Lewis Preston Summers, of Adingdon Bar, Alumnus of the University of Virginia and of Tulane University of Louisiana, and member of the Virginia Historical Society, published by J L Hill Printing Company, Richmond Virginia, 1903, page 842